hemselves
against the importation of more Saxon troops. But doubtless, before
the campaign begins in earnest, he will have settled matters with
the senators, and will have his own way in that respect. There is,
however, little chance of the diet agreeing to call out the whole
forces of the country, and the next battle will, like the last, be
between the Swedes and the Saxons, who may have with them perhaps a
few thousand Poles, belonging to the king's party."

"You don't belong to the king's party, count?"

"No. I, like the majority of our nobles, have no interest whatever
in the war, for we were never consulted before it began. It is an
affair between Saxony and the Swedes. Let them fight it out. It
would be a bad day for Poland, if Augustus and the Russians were to
overcome and despoil Sweden. We want no addition of territory, for
that would be to strengthen our kings against us. We see the
trouble caused by Augustus having Saxony at his command, and if he
had other territory, the country would be divided into two parts,
one of which would have nothing in common with the other.

"Still less do we wish to see Russia gain territory to the north of
us. Hitherto we have thought but little of the Muscovites, but this
war has shown that they can put great armies into the field, and
the czar is making them into a nation which may some day be
formidable to us.

"Charles has sent every assurance that he has no ill will towards
Poland, and is an enemy not of the country but of its king--who had
formed a coalition against him in a time of profound peace--and
that his hostility will altogether cease with the overthrow and
expulsion of Augustus. So you see, we who live at a distance from
the capital, and hold ourselves altogether aloof from the intrigues
of court, look on at the fray as if it were one in which we have no
part or lot. If Augustus drives out the Swedes, we shall probably
have trouble with him afterwards. If Charles drives out Augustus,
we shall have a fresh king, and shall no doubt choose one upon the
recommendation of Charles, who will then march away again, leaving
us to manage our own affairs. Therefore, we have no animosity
whatever against you as a Swedish officer, but for comfort's sake
it is better that nothing should be said of this, and that I should
introduce you to my friends simply as an English gentleman, who has
rendered me the greatest possible service."

The countess retired to bed, a short ti